Pet screening options through Rentec Direct

PetScreening™ is one of Rentec Direct’s many trusted integration partners. We understand how attracting responsible pet owners to your pet-friendly rentals can help prevent property damage, reduce liability risks, and meet insurance and legal requirements.

Rentec Direct property management software has provided landlords and property managers the tools to navigate the confusing landscape of animal and pet verification since 2019 with PetScreening integration.

Pet screening, like tenant screening, offers a way to verify pet history and safety. The screening integration through PetScreening helps to clarify the distinctions between pets, service animals, and emotional support animals. This eliminates confusion and barriers between tenants and landlords and equips landlords with the information required to make informed decisions, update renters’ insurance requirements, and create comprehensive leases. Additionally, incorporating pet rents and deposits may even increase passive income for some landlords.

Learn more: Ultimate Guide for Landlords and Service Animals

Learn more: What is an Emotional Support Animal?

Pet, Service Animal, Emotional Support Animal, “No pets”

For many landlords and property managers, the terms pet, service animal, emotional support animals, and even “no pets” may stir up a mixture of feelings including apprehension and anxiety. The big nail-biter that we hear from property managers regarding pets is: “How do I deal with the ever-changing landscape of service animals, real emotional support animals (ESA), fake ESAs, and regular pets without discriminating or getting in trouble for not accommodating the animals I’m required to?”

Navigating pets can create its own set of concerns. There may be good cause for these feelings as one article by NCDailyStar indicates that up to 50% of Renters “Hide” their pets and up to 82% would be willing to pay an extra fee.


state by state unauthorized pets
How does your state rank with Unclaimed Pets? 


Pet Screening With Rentec Direct

It’s never too late to incorporate a Pet Policy that includes Pet Screening for leads, applicants, and even existing renters.

Seamlessly incorporate pet screening into your application, lease, and lease renewal process with Rentec Direct’s integration with PetScreening, at no additional cost. 

PetScreening provides qualified teams to screen pets, including verifying qualified service and support animals. This integration can help you implement your pet policy, improve communications with renters, and enhance your leasing process. PetScreening may also help you increase passive income on fees you may have otherwise missed in the past, such as pet rent, non-refundable pet deposits, one-time pet fees, and fees for furry family members that didn’t meet the requirement of emotional support or service animals or may not have been identified in the application process. 

Some of the benefits for Landlords and Property Managers include:

  • Share your pet policy with leads, applicants, and existing tenants
  • Manage one easy-to-access portfolio of the pet/animal population of your rentals
  • Obtain verification from renters who may not have had pets when they moved in, but have since acquired them.
  • Third-party validation of assistance and emotional support animal requests takes you out of the middle

Learn how you can require Pet Screening for one or all applicants using your Rentec Direct online applications: Pet Screening for Rental Applications


Getting Started with PetScreening for Rentec Direct Clients

There are two quick steps to activate and start using your integrated Pet Screening feature.

  1. Create a PetScreening.com account with a Unique Subdomain
  2. Link your PetScreening.com account to your Rentec Direct account

Already have a PetScreening.com account? Great, jump to step 2 to link to your Rentec Direct account and keep all pets of your rentals in one easy-to-read portfolio.


Create an Account with PetScreening

Creating an account with PetScreening is easy and can be done directly through your Rentec Direct account.

In your Rentec Direct account:

  1. Click on Settings
  2. Under Tools, click on Utilities
  3. Click on Pet Screening
  4. Click on Set up a Free Pet Screening Account
  5. When registering your company, you will be required to create a Landing Page or Subdomain that will be used to link to your Rentec Direct account

Pro Tip: We recommend creating a Unique Subdomain that aligns with your brand or business name. Example https://kcmiller.petscreening.com

In your Rentec Direct account:

  1. Click on Settings
  2. Under Tools, click on Utilities
  3. Click on Pet Screening
  4. Enter the Unique Subdomain from your PetScreening.com account


  5. Check the box to Require all applicants to complete petscreening.com

    System Note: If you only require primary applicants who specify that they have pets to be routed through pet screening, leave this unchecked and set your Rentec Direct online application question “Ask Primary Applicant to List Pets” to YES. Click here for more details on Pet Screening for rental applications
  6. Click on Save

Have Questions?

Connect with your Rentec Direct Success Team at 1-800-881-5139, by email at success@rentecdirect.com, or in-app chat.

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Suggest a New Feature

Our goal is always to make your tasks as a landlord or property manager simpler, quicker, and more efficient. One of the ways we accomplish this is by listening to you and your feature requests. If there is anything you would like to see added to enhance your Rentec Direct experience, please send your ideas and suggestions to success@rentecdirect.com

Rentec Direct is an award-winning property management software serving landlords and property managers across the United States. Features include online rent payments, tenant and owner portals, one of the industry’s largest vacancy listing syndication networks, full property, tenant, and owner accounting, 1099-MISC reporting and more. Rentec Direct was recognized as Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2024 American Business Awards®, and was named the Most Customer Friendly Companies of the Year in the 2023 Best in Biz Awards, has been named to the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies for eight years in a row. www.rentecdirect.com.